The Celtics got caught in a classic "trap game" tonight, and fell to the Cavaliers 95-87. After knocking off the Miami "superteam" last night, Boston was expected to blow out LeBron's ex-team. However, Cleveland played hard-nosed basketball for 48 minutes in its debut.

J.J. Hickson scored a game-high 21 points for the Cavs, while six others reached double-digits. Rajon Rondo led the way for Boston with 17 points and nine assists. Kevin Garnett also tallied nine points, while pulling down 15 boards. Glen "Big Baby" Davis played well off the bench, scoring 14 points on 7-11 shooting from the field.

Hickson sparked the Cavs early, scoring ten of his team's first 14 points. He displayed an impressive array of shots throughout the game, converting on jumpers, drives, hooks, and free throws. Cleveland fans have a lot to be excited about based on his play. The Celtics were able to take a 23-21 lead into the second quarter.

The battle continued into the second quarter. Cavs guard Ramon Sessions scored eight points in the frame, filling in for an injured Mo Williams. Boston played it's trademark team basketball and closed the half on a 5-0 run. The Celtics led 47-46 at the break. KG and Big Baby combined for 17 points in the first 24 minutes of regulation.

The C's were able to establish an 11 point lead on back-to-back buckets by Rondo and Paul Pierce with 4:37 remaining in the third quarter. Unfortunately, they could not protect that lead, and let Cleveland climb back into the contest. The Cavs closed the quarter on a 13-7 run and trailed 68-73 going into the final period.

The Cavaliers carried that momentum into the fourth quarter. The two teams With just over two minutes left in the game, Cleveland led 86-84. J.J. Hickson had to inbound the ball with only one second left on the shot clock. He found Anthony Parker who hit a very difficult shot from beyond the arc to give the Cavs a five point lead. Davis then answered with a bucket in the paint and took a Hickson charge to give the C's the ball back with just 35 seconds to go.

After a Pierce miss, Davis was called for a foul on a blatant flop by Anderson Varejao. The Brazilian Baby hit both his foul shots to re-extend the Cleveland lead to five. The Cavs held on and came away with a 95-87 victory. Pierce, Allen, and KG scored a whole three points in the final twelve minutes.

Boston plays its next game back in Boston against the Knicks at 7:30 PM.

Agreed it was a rough loss, but I don't mind that much. It's the start of the season and they clearly weren't on their A game. JO does need to play much better though, and Big Baby could get a few more minutes IMO.

That long 1 second for 3 points changed the outcome, looked more like Parker had 2 or 3 seconds. Should have been 24 second violation. No wonder James made that last second shot against Orland on '09, it was a long 1 second at Cleveland too I think.

Well guess what's new, nothing? What are the excuses going to be? Are they bored already? Is Delonte West that much of a difference maker? Now we'll start hearing the excuses people saying "it's a long season" or "second of a back-to-back" or "Cleveland's a good team, they're scrappy" or "regular season doesn't matter." I say bullshit.

This team's last chance to win was June 17, 2010- they're cooked. They have no one to go to on offense to get points when they need to. Yes the Celtics are a deep team but ultimately stars win in this league.

Get a grip folks and jump off the bandwagon when you still can. This season's over.

@NormanWhy are you even on this site if all you are going to do is rip the Celtics after their SECOND regular season game??! And what do you mean 'the Celtics have no one to go to on offense??Paul Pierce (main go-to guy)Kevn GarnettRay AllenNate RobinsonBig Babyetc etc..You are clearly hating on the Celtics and I don't understand why (& really couldn't care less).Every team will lose games-NO TEAM will go 82-0.And if this team can win this year cause they are 'old' than I guess the Lakers can't win this year either cause Boston has 5 guys 30 or older, Lakers have 9 guys 30 or older.You are obviously a Heat (bandwagon) or Laker fan, so quit waisting your time posting things like that on this site.GOOD DAY

Personally I don't care too much about regular season losses. If anything, I want Doc to rest the vets even more this regular season. And then do what you did last postseason, but hopefully this time no injuries at the end.

If I recall correctly there are no back to backs in the postseason.

The other option is to go all out in the regular season, win as many games as possible, be burned out in the playoffs, and get upset in the 2nd round. Doesn't sound to appealing huh?

We have a team with 5 core players in their 30's. This is simply reality.

Agreed JR, but if we accept 25-30 losses this season in order to rest the vets, I'm still not feeling comfortable about this loss to a below average at best Cavs team without their best shooter. And no vet had to log extended minutes besides maybe Ray at 35 or Paul's 33, so apparently the weak spot in our vaunted depth is shooting/scoring as Nate is streaky at best and undependable.